Acts 10:36

KJV

The word which [God] sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

KJV (with Strong's)

The word {G3056} which {G3739} God sent {G649} unto the children {G5207} of Israel {G2474}, preaching {G2097} peace {G1515} by {G1223} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547}:(he {G3778} is {G2076} Lord {G2962} of all {G3956}:)

Complete Jewish Bible

“Here is the message that he sent to the sons of Isra’el announcing shalom through Yeshua the Messiah, who is Lord of everything.

Berean Standard Bible

He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

American Standard Version

The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)—

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 10:36 encapsulates a pivotal theological truth unveiled in Peter's sermon to Cornelius's household: the divine message, initially directed to Israel, is one of profound peace, universally extended through Jesus Christ, who is sovereign Lord over all humanity and creation. This verse serves as a concise summary of the Gospel's expansive nature and the ultimate authority of Jesus, laying the groundwork for the inclusion of Gentiles into God's redemptive plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 10:36 is part of Peter's sermon to Cornelius and his household, a groundbreaking event in the book of Acts. This sermon begins in [Acts 10:34](/acts/10-34 "Acts 10:34 - God Shows No Partiality") with Peter's realization that "God shows no partiality." The verses immediately preceding this, [Acts 10:1-33](/acts/10-1-33 "Acts 10:1-33 - Cornelius's Vision and Peter's Arrival"), describe Cornelius's vision, Peter's own transformative vision of the sheet with unclean animals, and the divine instruction for Peter to go to Caesarea. Peter's words in verse 36 set the stage for the core message of the Gospel he is about to proclaim, emphasizing its divine origin and universal scope, leading to the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles in [Acts 10:44-48](/acts/10-44-48 "Acts 10:44-48 - The Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early church, predominantly Jewish, struggled with the inclusion of Gentiles. Jewish law and custom, particularly dietary laws and circumcision, created significant barriers between Jews and non-Jews. The events of Acts 10, culminating in Peter's sermon, directly challenge these deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms. Caesarea, a Roman city and the administrative capital of Judea, was a Gentile stronghold, making Cornelius's conversion particularly symbolic. This moment represents a radical paradigm shift, moving the church beyond its ethnocentric origins towards a truly global mission, reflecting God's ancient promises to bless all nations through Abraham's seed, as seen in [Genesis 12:3](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - Abrahamic Covenant").
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes in Acts and the broader New Testament. Foremost is the **universal scope of the Gospel**, demonstrating that God's salvation is not limited to Israel but extends to all peoples, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers, a theme further developed in [Acts 11:1-18](/acts/11-1-18 "Acts 11:1-18 - Peter Reports to the Apostles"). It also highlights the theme of **divine initiative**, as God "sent" His word and orchestrated the encounter between Peter and Cornelius. The message of **peace through Jesus Christ** is central, emphasizing reconciliation with God and holistic well-being. Finally, the declaration that Jesus "is Lord of all" underscores His **supreme authority and universal dominion**, a foundational Christological truth that permeates the apostolic preaching and is echoed in passages like [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Universal Lordship").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Greek, _lógos'_):** (G3056) While often referring to spoken or written communication, _lógos_ here signifies more than just a message; it embodies the divine utterance, the very substance of God's revelation and redemptive plan. In a profound sense, it points to the active, living truth that God has sent, which ultimately finds its fullest expression in Christ Himself, as seen in [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God").
* **preaching (Greek, _euangelízō'_):** (G2097) This verb means "to announce good news" or "to evangelize." It denotes the active proclamation of the Gospel, not merely sharing information but declaring a transformative message of glad tidings. The use of this word emphasizes that the "word" sent by God is inherently good news, specifically the saving message of Jesus Christ.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** (G2962) This term denotes supreme authority and sovereignty, often used to refer to God in the Old Testament (Septuagint translation of YHWH). Applying _kýrios_ to Jesus is a profound theological statement, asserting His divine status and ultimate dominion. When Peter declares Jesus as "Lord of all," he is proclaiming His universal, cosmic authority, transcending all human distinctions and earthly powers.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The word which God sent unto the children of Israel,"**: This clause establishes the divine origin and initial historical trajectory of the Gospel message. It was God's initiative to send this "word," and historically, it was first revealed and offered to the Jewish people, the covenant nation. This acknowledges the historical reality of salvation history, where God chose Israel as the channel through which His redemptive plan would unfold, as promised in the Old Testament.
* **"preaching peace by Jesus Christ:"**: This is the core content and means of the "word." The message is one of "peace" (_eirḗnē_), which in biblical terms signifies not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic state of well-being, wholeness, reconciliation with God, and harmony. This profound peace is not achieved through human effort or religious ritual but is uniquely mediated "by Jesus Christ," highlighting His indispensable role as the bringer and embodiment of this reconciliation.
* **"(he is Lord of all:)"**: This parenthetical statement is a powerful theological declaration, serving as the climax of the verse. It asserts Jesus's supreme and universal authority. "Lord of all" means He is sovereign over all people, all nations, all creation, and all spiritual powers. This truth underpins the universal scope of the Gospel, justifying its proclamation to Gentiles, as His Lordship extends beyond the boundaries of Israel to encompass the entire world.

#### Literary Devices
Acts 10:36 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is a **Parenthetical Statement** ("he is Lord of all:"), which serves to emphasize and elevate the theological significance of Jesus's identity. This seemingly incidental remark is, in fact, the theological linchpin of Peter's argument, providing the ultimate justification for the Gospel's universal reach. There is also a clear **Progression** from the "children of Israel" to "Lord of all," subtly highlighting the expansion of God's redemptive plan from a particular people to all humanity. This progression anticipates the breaking down of barriers that the rest of the narrative in Acts 10-11 describes. Furthermore, the use of the title **"Lord of all"** functions as a powerful **Epithet**, concisely encapsulating Jesus's divine authority and universal dominion, a central tenet of early Christian proclamation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 10:36 is a theological cornerstone, bridging the Old Testament's particularistic focus on Israel with the New Testament's universal embrace of all humanity. It underscores that God's plan of salvation, though historically initiated with Israel, was always intended to extend globally. The "peace" offered through Jesus Christ is the ultimate reconciliation between God and humanity, and between previously alienated groups, fulfilling ancient prophecies of a new covenant that would bring all nations to God. This peace is a comprehensive _shalom_, restoring broken relationships and bringing wholeness. The declaration of Jesus as "Lord of all" is the theological bedrock for the church's global mission, asserting His ultimate authority over every sphere of existence and every person, regardless of their background.

* [Isaiah 52:7](/isaiah/52-7 "Isaiah 52:7 - How Beautiful Are the Feet")
* [Ephesians 2:14-18](/ephesians/2-14-18 "Ephesians 2:14-18 - Christ Our Peace and Reconciler")
* [Colossians 1:15-20](/colossians/1-15-20 "Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 10:36 calls us to embrace a radically inclusive understanding of God's love and the Gospel's reach. Just as Peter's worldview was expanded, so too must ours be challenged to see beyond our own cultural, ethnic, or social boundaries. This verse reminds us that the message of peace in Jesus Christ is for everyone, regardless of their background or past. It compels us to recognize and submit to Jesus's universal Lordship, allowing His authority to permeate every area of our lives, our communities, and our engagement with the world. Practically, it means actively seeking to break down barriers that divide people, advocating for reconciliation, and faithfully proclaiming the holistic peace found only in Christ to a world desperately fragmented and in need of true _shalom_. Our mission, like Peter's, is to be ambassadors of this glorious, all-encompassing peace.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, like the early Jewish believers, inadvertently limit the scope of God's grace or the reach of the Gospel based on my own cultural or social biases?**
* **What does it mean for Jesus to be "Lord of all" in my personal life, in my community, and in the broader world today?**
* **How can I be a more effective messenger of the "peace by Jesus Christ" in my daily interactions and through my actions?**

### FAQ
**Why was the "word" sent "unto the children of Israel" if Jesus is "Lord of all"?**

Answer: The "word" was indeed initially sent to the children of Israel because God had chosen them as His covenant people through whom He would reveal Himself and His redemptive plan to the world. This established a historical and theological lineage for the Messiah. However, this particularistic focus was always intended to have a universal outcome. As the Old Testament prophecies indicate (e.g., [Isaiah 49:6](/isaiah/49-6 "Isaiah 49:6 - Light to the Gentiles")), Israel was meant to be a light to the nations. Peter's sermon to Cornelius's household in [Acts 10](/acts/10 "Acts 10 - Peter and Cornelius") marks the pivotal moment where the Gospel explicitly and undeniably extends beyond ethnic Israel, demonstrating that while the message originated with them, its ultimate recipient is "all" humanity, because Jesus is "Lord of all."

**What kind of "peace" is being preached here?**

Answer: The "peace" (Greek: _eirḗnē_) preached by Jesus Christ is far more comprehensive than merely the absence of conflict. It echoes the Hebrew concept of _shalom_, signifying a holistic state of well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and reconciliation. This peace primarily refers to reconciliation with God, restoring the broken relationship between humanity and its Creator through Christ's atoning work. It also encompasses inner peace, harmony within oneself, and peace among people, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility, as profoundly articulated in [Ephesians 2:14-18](/ephesians/2-14-18 "Ephesians 2:14-18 - Christ Our Peace and Reconciler"). It's a spiritual, relational, and existential peace that transforms every aspect of life.

**What are the implications of Jesus being "Lord of all"?**

Answer: The declaration that Jesus is "Lord of all" has profound implications. First, it asserts His divine nature and supreme authority, equating Him with God Himself (as _Kyrios_ was used for YHWH in the Septuagint). Second, it signifies His universal dominion, meaning His authority extends over all creation, all nations, all people, and all spiritual powers, leaving no sphere outside of His rightful rule. This universal Lordship provides the theological mandate for global evangelism, as the good news must be proclaimed to everyone over whom He reigns. It implies that all humanity is accountable to Him and that salvation is available to all who acknowledge His Lordship, as seen in [Romans 10:9-13](/romans/10-9-13 "Romans 10:9-13 - Confess Jesus as Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 10:36 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus Himself, who is the very embodiment of the "word" that God sent. He is the living _lógos_ of God, through whom all things were created and through whom God's ultimate revelation and redemption are accomplished, as beautifully articulated in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word in the Beginning") and [Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Speaks Through His Son"). Jesus is not merely the preacher of peace but the Prince of Peace ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), who secured true peace through His sacrificial death on the cross, reconciling humanity to God and breaking down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile ([Colossians 1:20](/colossians/1-20 "Colossians 1:20 - Reconciliation Through Christ") and [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - He is Our Peace")). The climactic declaration, "he is Lord of all," is fulfilled in His resurrection and ascension, where God exalted Him to the highest place, granting Him a name above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exaltation and Universal Lordship")). Thus, Acts 10:36 is not just a statement about Jesus but a direct consequence and proclamation of His person and redemptive work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 28:18

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Acts 2:36

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Revelation 17:14

¶ These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.

1 Peter 3:22

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

1 Corinthians 15:27

For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

Revelation 1:18

[I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Hebrews 7:2

To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;